LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Reformation Center (PRC), built and managed by the provincial government, has started its operation on April 10 with the first batch of “reformists.”
Twenty eight reformists from Burgos town now undergo the four-day integrated reformation program of the provincial government, which runs until Friday, April 13, at the PRC which is located in San Vicente, Burgos.
Executive Assistant IV Ramon Morden, on behalf of Governor Amado I. Espino, III, urged the reformists during the opening program that the provincial administration built the PRC to become a training ground to help better the lives of Pangasinenses.
“Take advantage of this good opportunity given to you,” Morden told the reformists.
Meanwhile, PRC officer-in-charge Eugenie Guiang said the reformation facility of Pangasinan the first-of-it’s-kind in the country is not only intended for reformists, but to anyone who would like to better his life.
“The PRC is a multi-purpose facility which seeks to help promote the general welfare of Pangasinenses by bringing them closer to social services, which include livelihood undertakings they could engage in,” Guiang, Chief of Dasol Community Hospital, said.
For its initial batch of reformists, the PRC accommodates moderately affected drug users, who have surrendered and committed to reform themselves to be productive members of the society again.
As to the treatment to a reformist, Guiang said his profile is kept with confidentiality.
After the four-day reformation training, the reformists would still be monitored, as the provincial government is more than willing to help them undertake productive activities, she added.
Also present during the first day of reformation training were : Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, who is the head of PRC’s training directorate; and Ret. Col. Carlo Resureccion, Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council liaison officer.
It was learned that Burgos town has the lowest number of drug surrenderees in Pangasinan with 30, next to Sto. Tomas, which is ever since a drug-free town.
By Dexter A. See
